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N commemoration of the Fiftieth 
Anniversary of the Battle of Gettys- 
burg, and for the especial benefit of 
its patrons who will visit the battlefield 
during the celebration this year, 
the Pennsylvania Railroad issues this 
booklet, containing descriptive matter, 
illustrations and maps. 

Those consulting its pages, will 
find a concise account of the movements of the Union 
and Confederate forces from the time Lee moved north- 
ward from Virginia to occupy the Pennsylvania valleys; 
the various engagements in and around Gettysburg, 
and a brief review of the retreat of Lee across the Poto- 
mac River, pursued by the victorious forces of Meade. 
A birds-eye map of the battlefield, on which the 
more important points of interest and the principal roads 
and avenues are indicated, will be a guide to visitors. 
A map of the Pennsylvania System shows its rela- 
tion to Gettysburg and the principal battlefields of the 
Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Vir- 
ginia. Illustrations of various portions of the field and 
the monuments thereon round out the booklet, which it 
is hoped will serve to impress upon the mind the historic 
importance of this noted battle and the field on which it 
was fought. 



The 
Invasion of Pennsylvania 

After the battle of Chancellorsville, General Robert 
E. Lee, Commander of the Confederate Army, in June, 
1863, decided, for reasons that seemed to justify the 
movement, to shift the scene of war from Virginia to 
Pennsylvania. The mobilization was begun at once 
and pushed forward to the northern border with unin- 
terrupted activity. 

The movement was initiated by "Jeb" Stuart, with 
nine brigades of cavalry, who, by order of General Lee, 
slipped by the Union Army on the Rappahannock, 
engaged the Union cavalry, under General Pleasonton, 
in several fierce fights, and advanced to the lines of the 
Baltimore and Ohio and Western Maryland Railroads. 
In the meantime the corps of General Ewell, leaving 
Culpeper on June 10, crossed the Blue Ridge, and 
entered the Shenandoah Valley. 

By a forced march, Ewell reached Winchester on 
June 13, where General Milroy, with a comparatively 
small force, detained him until June 15, when Milroy 
retreated, after spiking his guns. This, and the defeat 




Minnesota State, Hancock Ave. 



13th Massachusetts 
Robinson Ave., Oak Ridge 



of Tyler at Martinsburg, left the Cumberland Valley 
open to the invaders, and they hurried on to Chambers- 
burg, which they reached and occupied on June 22. 

Here Ewell divided his forces, sending Rodes' 
and Johnson's Divisions through the valley toward 
Harrisburg. Carlisle was partially sacked, and part of 
the division advanced as far as Kingston, thirteen miles 
from Harrisburg. Here word was brought that a large 
force of militia had been assembled at Harrisburg, 
and the Confederates deemed it wiser to return down 
the valley. 

Early's Division had, in the meantime, crossed 
the South Mountain to Emmitsburg, and thence across 
country to York. Gordon's Brigade met the 26th 
Pennsylvania Regiment, which had been posted at 
Gettysburg when the news of Lee's invasion had been 
flashed north, near Marsh Creek, a few miles south of 
the town. 

This regiment, commanded by a colonel, who so far 
as is known, had not taken his baptism of fire from 
organized troops, like many another in the army, was 
dismayed at the enemy's approach. Some of the men 
fled; many were captured, but their guns had spoken 
loud enough to catch the ears of the enemy on the sur- 
rounding territory. 

Early heard them at Mummasburg, ten miles away; 
Lee heard them at Chambersburg, twenty-five miles 
away. Early hurried to Gettysburg, fearing a severe 
engagement, and ordered Hays' Brigade thither. But 
when he arrived, there was nothing disquieting; only a 
quiet Pennsylvania village pursuing its peaceful course. 
So he resumed his march to York, where a large amount 
of property was destroyed. 

Intending to seize the bridge across the Susquehanna 
at Columbia, Early sent a detachment to Wrightsville, 
the western end of the bridge. But Governor Curtin 
had rendezvoused troops at Harrisburg and Columbia, 
and the Union commander at Columbia, Colonel Prick, 



"f'^pHli 




East Confederate Avenue 



realizing that he was not strong enough to drive back 
Gordon, ordered the bridge burned to prevent the Con- 
federates from crossing. So Gordon returned to the 
main body at York. 

In the meantime, Lee, with Longstreet's and Hill's 
Corps, had followed Ewell up the Cumberland Valley, 
and on June 30 had massed troops at Chambersburg, 
Fayetteville, and Greenwood, on the west side of South 
Mountain, and had advanced Hill's Corps to Cashtown 
and Mummasburg on the eastern side of the ridge, and 
only a few miles from Gettysburg. 

Early had returned from York and was holding 
Heidlersburg, a few miles east of Gettysburg; Rodes had 
marched south from Carlisle and joined Early; Johnson's 
Division with spoils of war had reached Greenwood, just 
west of the mountain ; and Stuart, with the cavalry, was 
pushing around north of Hanover to join Ewell's Division. 

8 



While this movement was being made, the Army of 
the Potomac had not been idle. Hooker had discovered 
as early as June 3 that Lee contemplated a northern 
invasion and had so advised the authorities at Washing- 
ton. On June 7, he sent Pleasonton with the cavalry 
to Culpeper to see if there had been a serious move of 
the enemy's forces. He also asked Washington for rein- 
forcements, but was denied by General Halleck, then in 
command of the army. 

The battle of Brandy Station, June 8, indicated to 
Hooker that Lee was in earnest, and he moved his troops 
toward the passes of the Blue Ridge, with the thought 
of cutting off the communication of the Confederate 
Army with Richmond and holding Lee within the narrow 
confines of the valley. 

Spreading out his line in a fan-shape, he moved 
northward, the left wing along the Blue Ridge, and the 
right thrown out toward Washington. Although many 
insisted that he follow Lee into the valley and protect 
the citizens whose property was being devastated. 
Hooker deemed it wise to follow his own plans, which 
looked to the defense of Washington. 

By this time the Confederates were well within the 
Cumberland Valley. On June 25, Hooker had crossed the 
Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, and had formed his lines 
south of Frederick, but on the day the commands of 
Longstreet and Hill occupied Chambersburg, (June 27,) 
General George Gordon Meade succeeded Hooker in 
command. 

With the change of commanders came a change in 
the plan of campaign. Meade ordered French from 
Harper's Ferry to Frederick, which he proposed to estab- 
lish as a base of operations. Buford's cavalry were 
moved from the passes in South Mountain to a point 
near Fairfield, and Kilpatrick's cavalry force advanced 
through Littlestown to Hanover, where they met and 
defeated Stuart's men. The latter turned north to 



Carlisle, and finding that Ewell's men had gone, returned 
toward Gettysburg, reaching there on July 2, to take part 
in the hot cavalry battle east of the town on July 3. 

Pushing steadily north, Meade, on June 30, had his 
forces centered as follows: Reynolds, with the First 
Corps, was at Marsh Creek, about six miles southwest 
of Gettysburg; Buford occupied Gettysburg; Williams, 
with the Twelfth Corps, was at Littlestown, ten miles 
southeast of Gettysburg; Howard, with the Eleventh 
Corps, was at Emmitsburg, four miles beyond Reynolds; 
Meade, with the Third Corps, under Sickles, was near 
Taneytown, thirteen miles south of Gettysburg; Sykes 
and the Fifth Corps were at Union Mills, nineteen miles 
distant; Sedgwick and the Sixth Corps near Manchester, 
twenty-five miles away ; Hancock and the Second Corps 
at Uniontown, also twenty-five miles from Gettysburg; 
and D. McM. Gregg's cavalry at Westminster, twenty- 
five miles south, on the Western Maryland Railroad. 

At Harrisburg and Columbia were forces of militia 
hurriedly recruited by Governor Curtin, when the South- 
ern invasion began. 




Wright Avenue, East of Round Top 

10 




25th Pennsylvania Emergency Regiment 
John Burns' House in Background 



This massing of Union Troops led General Lee to 
fix upon the little town of Gettysburg, with its hills and 
valleys, as the point where he would meet and, if possible, 
defeat Meade, instead of retreating down the valleys to 
Virginia. Turned from his purpose of cutting railroad 
and telegraph communication between the East and the 
West around Harrisburg, and not knowing that he had a 
clear way back, he pushed his entire army toward Gettys- 
burg, hoping to reach it and so entrench himself that 
Meade would be overcome. 



II 



The First Day's Fight 

As the day dawned on the morning of July 1, 1863, 
the Army of Northern Virginia, with approximately 
73,500 men and 190 guns, formed a half circle around 
Gettysburg, directly faced on the hills to the west of the 
town by General Buford, with his cavalry division of 
two brigades, Gamble's and Devin's. 

To the south lay Meade, with approximately 82,000 
men and 300 guns, many of them miles away. Reynolds, 
with the First Corps, was hurrying toward Gettysburg, and 
the other corps were rapidly concentrating on the town. 

Lee advanced Heth's Division from Cashtown 
directly toward the town. Buford 's skirmishers occupied 
the ridges to the west of Willoughby Run and soon advised 
their commander that the Confederates were advancing. 
Heth, finding Buford's skirmishers on their front, formed 
a line of battle, with Archer's and Davis' Brigades in front, 
followed by those of Pettigrew and Brockenbrough. 
At nine o'clock the first gun was fired and the Battle of 
Gettysburg had begun. 

The situation was a critical one for General Buford. 
He knew that Ewell's Corps were advancing from 
Heidlersburg, to the north of him, and Reynolds was not 
yet in Gettysburg. Sending Devin's men to form a pro- 
tective line against Ewell, he placed Gamble's Brigade 
on the hill facing Willoughby Run to meet the oncoming 
corps of Hill. In the absence of cavalry — the eyes of 
an army — the Confederate leaders did not realize that 
only a small body of cavalry opposed them, instead of 
the whole Union Army, as Lee supposed. Buford's men 
contested every foot of the ground, but their commander 
was doubtful of the result unless Reynolds came quickly 
to his support. 

12 



He climbed the tower of the Lutheran Seminary, 
which stood on what has since been noted as Seminary 
Ridge, and looked anxiously away toward the South. 
He was much relieved to find Wadsworth's Division 
already in the town, and the remainder of the First 
Corps within sight. 

Reynolds had accompanied Wadsworth's men and 
quickly joined Buford in his observation point. Without 
hesitation he advanced Cutler's Brigade to the support 
of Buford's troopers, and posted Hall's 2d Maine Bat- 
tery along the Chambersburg Pike. The 14th Brooklyn 
and 95th New York Regiments were thrown forward 
on the left, and the three veteran regiments, the 147th 
New York, 76th New York and the 56th Pennsylvania, 
on the right, beyond the road. 

This relieved Gamble's Brigade from the brunt of 
the fight, which they had been withstanding for about 
an hour, and they withdrew to the left of the infantry. 
Devin, however, was still waiting for the advance of 
Ewell from the north and held his position between the 
Chambersburg and Mummasburg Roads, his brigade 
consisting of the 6th and 9th New York, the 17th Penn- 
sylvania, and the 3d West Virginia Cavalry. 

Then began one of the fiercest engagements the world 
has ever seen. When Reynolds sent Wadsworth with 
three regiments to form just beyond the Chambersburg 
Pike, a little hill or ridge to the west shut out the view of 
the advance of Davis' Brigade of Heth's Division on 
the right flank. Before Wadsworth knew it, his line was 
broken on that flank and he issued orders to withdraw. 

The 76th New York and the 56th Pennsylvania 
succeeded in falling back to a piece of woods in the rear 
of Seminary Ridge, but the 147th New York was not 
so fortunate. Their colonel was shot down just as he 
received the order to withdraw, and the regiment was 
surrounded and almost cut to pieces before it could be 
rescued. 

14 



In the meantime, Hall, with his Maine Battery, had 
been left exposed at the pike and was forced to move 
back in short order, the horses on his last gun carriage 
being killed by the enemy while the battery was moving. 
The other two regiments of Cutler's Brigade, the 14th 
Brooklyn and the 95th New York, under command 
of Colonel Cutler, of the Brooklyn regiment, (Colonel 
Biddle of the 95th New York, having been wounded,) 
also fell back leisurely. 

By this time both forces had determined to occupy 
a small woods lying between Willoughby Run and Semi- 
nary Ridge, now known as Reynolds' Grove. Reynolds 
had told Doubleday, who was in command of the First 
Corps (having relieved Reynolds when he assumed entire 
command in Gettysburg) that he would hold the Cham- 
bersburg Pike, and expected Doubleday to hold the 
Fairfield Road. 




Lutheran Theological Seminary. The old building used as hospital 

15 




Buford ReynoJds 2d Maine Battery 

Chambersburg Pike, McPherson Ridge 

Appreciating the importance of getting into the 
woods first, Meredith's troops, popularly known as 
the "Iron Brigade," under the command of Colonel 
Morrow, of the 24th Michigan, were ordered forward on 
the double quick. They were filled with enthusiasm, 
calling out to Doubleday, as they passed him: *'If we 
can't hold the woods, where will you find the men that 
can: 

Archer's Brigade crossed Willoughby Run and made 
for the woods just as the "Iron Brigade" entered it. 
The fighting was bitter. 

Reynolds, with his staff, was viewing it from a point 
just on the edge of the woods nearest the town, when 
a bullet from one of the enemy's sharpshooters struck 
him in the back of the head, as he turned to watch the 
reserve posted between the woods and the ridge. The 
bullet passed clear through the skull and came out near 
his eye. He fell dead, almost instantly, without a word, 

i6 



and the Union forces were without a commander. Gen- 
eral Doubleday, as the ranking officer, immediately took 
command and pushed the fighting. 

Davis' Brigade had pushed Cutler's men on the 
Union right back toward Seminary Ridge. But Mor- 
row's Brigade, on the Union left, turned the flank of 
Archer's Brigade, which was engaged with Meredith's 
men in the woods, and so overwhelmed them, that 
hundreds were killed, wounded and captured, among 
the latter being the Confederate General, Archer, him- 
self. 

This repulse enabled the "Iron Brigade" to drive the 
Confederate line back beyond Willoughby Run, and 
Morrow re-formed his line on the little ridge west of 
where the Springs Hotel now stands. The Confederates 
were apparently convinced that a greater force opposed 
them than was actually the case, for no attempt was 
made to drive Meredith back from his advanced position, 
and Doubleday was enabled to recapture the guns of 
Hall's Battery on the Chambersburg Pike. 

The right of the Union line by this time was being 
hotly assaulted by Davis' Brigade. General Wads- 
worth withdrew Cutler's Brigade to the north side of 
Gettysburg unknown to Doubleday, who was advancing 
his reserve, under Dawes, to their help. The reserve 
was much smaller than the Confederate force, but the 
latter suddenly took refuge in the deep cut of the rail- 
road to the west of the town, where the Union men were 
enabled to badly cripple them by firing from above on 
the helpless men many feet below. 

Hundreds, under the grilling fire of Dawes' men 
gave themselves up, while the remainder found their way 
as best they could through the fields to the reserve lines 
of the Confederates. 

Doubleday withdrew Meredith's Brigade from its 
position west of Willoughby Run and formed on Semi- 
nary Ridge, bringing Cutler's men from the town to rein- 

17 



force the line. Heth re-formed his scattered forces on 
the ridge west of Willoughby Run and brought up his 
reserves. 

Meanwhile, Howard, in advance of the Eleventh 
Corps, had reached Gettysburg, and chosen Cemetery 
Hill on which to make his stand. He did not advise 
Doubleday of his arrival, and the latter did not deem it 
wise to continue the aggressive fighting until he had been 
reinforced by Meade, whom he knew was advancing from 
Taneytown. 

But it seemed necessary to hold Gettysburg at all 
hazards, so that when the remainder of the First Corps, 
which had not been engaged in the morning, came up, 
Doubleday pushed his men foi'ward again to the positions 
they held before and re-commenced an assault on the 
Confederate lines, which had been reinforced by artillery 
that poured a devastating fire along the roads and toward 
the town. 




The Railroad Cut, beyond the Seminary 

i8 




1 7th Peiinss Iv ani,. 

Buford Avenue 



At 11.30, Howard, who 
had come forward to the 
Seminary, reaHzed that 
the First Corps was hard 
pressed. He rushed the 
Eleventh Corps up on the 
double quick; assumed 
command of the left wing; 
turned over his Corps to 
Major- General Schurz, 
(who in turn assigned the 
command of his Division 
to General Barlow) and 
sent a courier to Meade 
to hurry forward the rest of the army. 

Schimmelfenig's Division was the first of the 
Eleventh Corps to reach the field, followed by Barlow's 
Division. They were ordered to extend the Union right 
along Seminary Ridge, while Steinwehr's Division, the 
last to arrive, (about 1.45 p.m.) occupied an entrenched 
position on Cemetery Hill. 

Before the formation was entirely carried out, 
Devin's skirmish line had discovered the approach of 
Early's troops from Heid- 
lersburg, and Rodes' from 
Carlisle, who converged 
forces at almost the same 
spot north of Gettysburg, 
beyond Oak Hill. 

This caused a re- 
arrangement of the Union 
lines, Doubleday holding 
the attack of A. P. Hill 
from the west, and How- 
ard throwing Barlow and 
Schimmelfenig to the 
north to meet Ewell's 

. . 24th Michigan Infantry 

iresh troops. Reynolds* Grove 




19 



Any attempt to follow the various movements of 
the troops during this stage of the battle is impossible 
within the limits of this sketch. Many changes of front 
were necessary to meet the Confederate advance, formed 
in a half circle around the Federal troops. 

Barlow's men, on the extreme right of the line, met 
the full brunt of the attack of Early and many of them 
were either killed or captured ; Barlow, himself, being 
wounded on what is now known as "'Barlow Knoll," to 
the north of the town. 

Schimmelfenig's Brigade, under the command of 
Colonel Von Amsburg, of the 45th New York, was 
pushed forward to fill up the gap between Barlow and 
the right wing of Doubleday's forces. But the overthrow 
of Barlow and the lack of support from Howard's reserve 
force, drove almost the entire brigade into the hands 
of Doles' Brigade, of Rodes' Division. 

In the meantime, Doubleday had thrown forward 
Baxter's Brigade, of Robinson's Division, to the point 
formed by the Mummasburg Road with the Union line 
on Seminary Ridge and they lay behind the stone fence, 
protected from the sight of Hill's men and the oncoming 
forces of Iverson's North Carolina Brigade of Rodes' 
Division. With Cutler's Brigade, which was thrown 
out on Iverson's right flank as he approached the town, 
Colonel Stone's Brigade and the artillery on Seminary 
Ridge in his support, Baxter's troops waited behind the 
fence until Iverson's men were within a few rods of them; 
then suddenly arose from their hiding place and poured 
a galling fire into the Confederate ranks. 

This, with the cross fire from Cutler's men and 
Stone's Brigade, threw Rodes' Division into disorder, and 
it fell back. But Early was driving Barlow's and 
Schimmelfenig's men back into the town, and the Union 
forces were overpowered. 

Doubleday made a last determined stand near the 
railroad cut late in the afternoon, but owing to lack of 

20 



support from Howard's men and the absence of some of 
his own troops on distant parts of the field, was forced to 
fall back on Seminary Ridge and take refuge inside the 
temporary entrenchment thrown up near the Seminary 
in the morning. 

Skirmishing and contesting every foot of the way, 
the Federal forces were finally driven back through the 
town in the afternoon. As they fought their way through 
the town, urged by the terrified inhabitants to protect 
them from the Confederates, hundreds of shots were fired 
directly up and down streets. It was only when the 
remnants of the First and Eleventh Corps took refuge 
behind Steinwehr's entrenchments on Cemetery Hill, 
that the victorious Confederates ceased the pursuit and 
formed a new line for the night, centering on the town of 
Gettysburg. 

By this time, General Hancock, sent by General 
Meade from Taneytown, had arrived to take command 
of the forces in and around Gettysburg. 




East Cemetery Hill 
Hancock Equestrian Statue 

21 



A survey of the field convinced him that Cemetery 
Hill and the ridge lying directly to the south of it was 
the best defensive point for the formation of the Union 
line. He also realized that the entire strength of the 
Army of the Potomac would be needed to successfully 
repulse Lee's forces, and so advised General Meade by 
courier. 

When the First Corps arrived at Cemetery Hill, 
Hancock ordered a part of it to occupy Culp's Hill, lying 
to the east of the cemetery; Wadsworth's Division took 
this position and threw up entrenchments. 

By dusk Sickles' Third Corps and Slocum's Twelfth 
Corps had arrived; and Hancock's Corps, the Second, 
were near at hand. Stannard's Second Vermont Bri- 
gade, which was to play so large a part in the battles of 
July 2 and 3, also came up and reported to General 
Doubleday. These forces made a long line of battle 
extending south along Cemetery Ridge. 

On Slocum's arrival, Hancock relinquished command 
of the field to him and rode to meet Meade, who was 
advancing from Taneytown. 

The Confederates were still formed in a semi-circle 
around the Union line. They had been reinforced by 
Longstreet's Corps in its entirety, with the exception of 
Pickett's Division, which was guarding the wagon trains 
at Chambersburg. 

Lee had come on the field about three o'clock in the 
afternoon and, after looking over the situation, had 
recommended — not ordered, so most authorities agree — 
Ewell to follow up his victory of the afternoon. But 
Ewell was unfit for further effort and so night fell on 
both armies waiting for the morrow. 



22 



The Second Day's Fight 

There was but little rest for either army in the hours 
of darkness between July 1 and 2. Lee, finding it im- 
possible to resume active operations during the night, 
spent the time in strengthening his lines, which he 
formed about a mile away from those of Meade. 

Longstreet, with McLaws' and Hood's Divisions 
of the First Corps, had arrived on the field about four 
o'clock that afternoon, July 1, and he now occupied the 
extreme right of the Confederate Army. Pickett's 
Division, of his corps, had not yet crossed the South 
Mountain. 

To the north of Longstreet lay A. P. Hill's Third 
Corps, consisting of Anderson's, Heth's and Pender's 
Divisions, which had been the mainstay of the first day's 
fight against the First Corps of the Union Army under 
Reynolds and later under Doubleday. 

Forming a right angle to Hill's line, extending 
through the town of Gettysburg along West and East 
Middle Streets, and curving around the east end of the 
town in the low land lying at the base of East Cemetery 
and Culp's Hill, was Ewell and the Second Corps, con- 
sisting of Early's, Rodes' and Johnson's Divisions. 

On Benner's Hill, directly facing Howard's position 
on East Cemetery Hill, a strong detachment of artillery 
was posted which covered the valley of Rock Creek and 
the eastern slope of Culp's Hill. 

Each line of the Confederate position was strongly 
protected by artillery placed on the many eminences 
overlooking the Union lines. 

General Meade arrived on the field about one o'clock 
in the morning and established his headquarters in the 
Bishop house on the Taneytown Road just south of the 
cemetery. Without delay he inspected the position 
established by Hancock and approved it. 

24 



He at once took steps to present a still stronger front 
to Lee by disposing of his entire army along the top of 
Cemetery Ridge from Gulp's Hill and Cemetery Hill to 
the Round Tops. The Twelfth Corps occupied the south- 
ern ridges of Culp's Hill, supporting Wadsworth's Division 
of the First Corps and facing Johnson's Division of 
Ewell's Corps. 

Howard and the Eleventh Corps occupied Cemetery 
Hill, with Early and Rodes lying to the north of them in 
Gettysburg. Beyond on the ridge was Hancock's 
Second Corps, while the Third Corps, under Sickles, was 
formed in the low land between the end of Cemetery 
Ridge and Little Round Top. 

Had Lee attacked the Union lines at daybreak he 
would not have found as strong a resistance as he did 
later in the day, for two brigades of the Third Corps were 
still marching up the Emmitsburg Road, and the Fifth 
and Sixth Corps were far away; the former coming 
from the direction of Hanover, whilst the latter advanced 
up the Taneytown Road in the rear of the Round Tops. 




Round Top from West Confederate Avenue 
25 




Irish Brigade 
Sicilies Ave. near tlie Loop 



When Sickles took 
his position he considered 
it untenable because it 
was on low ground. The 
Emmitsburg Road, on 
higher ground, presented 
an excellent place for the 
Confederate artillery, and 
the land between, full of 
rocks and trees, afforded 
ample protection for an 
advancing force. 

On his request to 
Meade, General Hunt, 
Chief of Artillery, was sent to Sickles, and the two 
officers went over the situation. After an examination, 
of the proposed lines. Sickles moved his command for- 
ward to occupy the Emmitsburg road, with its center 
in the "Peach Orchard." 

Humphreys' Division was faced along the road 
from the corner of the orchard toward the right wing of 
the army. Birney's Division was formed on the other 
angle, his left wing extending toward the Round Tops. 
The "Peach Orchard" was 
about a mile from Little 
Round Top. 

Meade, on learning 
of this change of the line, 
was not pleased with it, 
because the Confederate 
artillery could enfilade 
both tangents from the 
angle, and he felt that the 
position was not so good 
as the one nearer the 
established Union line. 

But Sickles thought 
he had chosen the wisest 17th Maine, wheatiieid 




26 



post and was determined to hold it. Skirmishing occurred 
all along the line during the morning hours, but no 
serious engagement. Meade called his corps commanders 
into council during the morning. It was then decided 
that although Sickles had disregarded orders, it was too 
late to change, and the new line must be held to meet the 
Confederate attack which seemed certain. 

Sykes, with the Fifth Corps, arrived about one 
o'clock and were at once posted on the little hills to the 
south of and back of Sickles' line and near the foot of the 
Round Tops. Sedgwick, with the Sixth Corps, did not 
arrive from his thirty-mile march until about three 
o'clock. His weary men were held as a reserve back on 
the Taney town Road. 

In the meantime Buford and the cavalry had been 
sent back to Westminster to guard the wagon trains, 
and Kilpatrick and his troopers to Hunterstown to harass 
the left flank of the Confederate line. 




West Confederate Avenue 

27 



Thus the positions were held until half past three in 
the afternoon, when Lee ordered the first concerted 
attack on the Union lines. As the Confederate chieftain 
proposed to strike the Federals at different points, one 
after another, or in military parlance, en echelon, the 
attack was begun by Longstreet on the advance of Sickles' 
line. 

A flanking force from Hood's Division was sent 
against Ward's Brigade as it lay on the line nearest the 
Round Tops, his left resting on Devil's Den, The 
assault was fierce, and soon extended all along the line 
to the Peach Orchard, where the brigades under Graham 
and De Trobriand fought like tigers. 

Humphreys' men, formed along the Emmitsburg 
Road, were not immediately engaged, but soon faced an 
assault by Barksdale's Mississippians, and Sickles hur- 
riedly sent for aid to Sykes. But he was giving his 
troops coffee and did not respond as promptly as ex- 
pected. Within a short time Sickles had received a 
wound which resulted in the loss of a leg, and his corps, 
now under Birney, had been forced back all along the line. 

Kershaw had pushed Ward back almost to Little 
Round Top, but could not go further for Sykes' men 
occupied the wooded hills on his right. By this time 
they were ready for action and soon the fighting became 
general amongst the rocks and trees at the foot of Little 
Round Top. 

In the meantime. General Warren, the Engineer 
Officer of the army, had gone up on Little Round Top 
to watch the fight. He saw that this eminence was the 
objective point of the Confederate attack, and at once 
hurried to the lines of the Fifth Corps and, on his own 
responsibility, detached Vincent's Brigade and ordered 
it to occupy Little Round Top. 

Cannon were hauled up the steep slopes, and en- 
trenchments were hurriedly thrown up. On came the 
Confederate forces, clear to the foot of the eminence, 
where Vincent's men met them in a bayonet charge. 

28 




44th New York, on Little Round Top 



General Barnes sent a battery and the 140th New 
York to their aid and formed the balance of his division 
to present a firm front to the charge. Time after time 
the Confederates stormed the Union position, only to 
be driven back. 

The story of the fight of Chamberlain's 20th Maine 
at the stone wall near the foot of Little Round Top, 
when a third of the command were lost and all the 
ammunition expended, is too well known to need repeat- 
ing. 

At the "Peach Orchard," Graham was still holding 
on in the face of a fire from two sides, Kershaw on the 
west, and Barksdale on the north. He struggled against 
the tremendous odds of the conflict, but was finally over- 
come by the Mississippians under Barksdale, who 
captured the position, but lost their General, who was 
mortally wounded in the final charge. 

Soon the fighting extended to the "Wheatfield," 
where De Trobriand, for sometime, held back the rushing 

29 



Confederate charges. Back and forth over this field 
both sides fought at close quarters, until at nightfall 
almost every foot of it was covered by a dead body. 

Meade had ordered Hancock's men to the rescue of 
Sickles' hard-pressed forces, and Caldwell's Division 
formed in front of Birney's men and drove the Confed- 
erates back to the stone wall surrounding the "Wheat- 
field." 

A final assault by Crawford and the Pennsylvania 
Reserves drove the Confederate line back from the 
ravine at the foot of Little Round Top, and evening 
found this coveted hill still in the possession of the 
Union forces. 

The Confederates, however, pushed around to Big 
Round Top and occupied it, throwing up entrenchments. 
But no effort was made to further molest the Union line, 
except that the recesses of " Devil's Den" were occupied 
by Confederate sharpshooters, who, until dislodged, 
played havoc with the troops on Little Round Top. 




The Devil's Den 

30 




View between the Round Tops 
The Vincent Statue — 83d Pennsylvania 

Shortly after Longstreet made his attack on Sickles, 
Hill's corps, preceded by R. H. Anderson's Division, 
assaulted the Second Corps in front of Webb's Brigade 
and succeeded in temporarily breaking the line and cap- 
turing a Union battery. But Doubleday, with part of 
the First Corps, and a portion of Hancock's troops drove 
them back. 

Meade was startled at the tremendous assault upon 
his left wing, and fearing annihilation of that portion of 
his line, withdrew nearly all Slocum's Corps from Culp's 
Hill and led it in person toward the Round Tops and 
the heat of the battle. 

31 



Only one small brigade under General Greene and the 
remnant of Wadsworth's Division, which had suffered 
so terribly on the first day, remained to hold the en- 
trenchments on Gulp's Hill against Ewell's entire Corps. 

No sooner had the sound of the guns of Hill's artil- 
lery on the center died away, when Johnson assailed the 
little force holding the entrenchments which Geary had 
thrown up on the south side of Gulp's Hill. Despite the 
grilling fire from the artillery on the hill, which threw one 
brigade back in disorder after the death of its com- 
mander, by nine in the evening the Confederates had 
taken possession of the lower entrenchments. 

By this time Sedgwick's Sixth Corps had come on 
the scene and were aiding as a reserve all along the line. 
Their outposts had several skirmishes with scattered 
bodies of Johnson's men, who were further harried by 
Gregg's cavalry to the east. 

To supplement this attack on Gulp's Hill, Early's 
Division was ordered to take East Cemetery Hill by 
storm, supported by four batteries of artillery on Ben- 
ner's Hill, and Rodes' and Pender's Divisions on the 
right flank. 

Coming through the ravine between Gulp's HjU and 
Cemetery Hill, Early's men first met Von Gilsa's Brigade 
which was posted behind a stone fence at the foot of the 
hill. Ames' Brigade was still further around the foot of 
the hill, enclosing Ricketts' and Wiedrick's batteries on 
the higher ground above. Stewart's and Reynolds' 
batteries were also brought to bear on the enemy. 

On a shoulder of the west side of Gulp's Hill, now 
known as Stevens Knoll, was the Fifth Maine Battery, 
which poured a galling fire into the flank of Early's- 
advance. 

The guns on the side of Cemetery Hill also added 
their share of the storm of bullets rained upon the Con- 
federate ranks, but owing to the conformation of the 
ground, they could not be sufficiently depressed to rake 
the storming force. 

32 



Von Gilsa's men fought bravely and so did Ames' 
troops, but the onslaught was too fierce. They were 
gradually forced back amongst the guns on the crest of 
the hill, Hays' men driving them like sheep before them. 

Wiedrick's battery was captured, and two of 
Ricketts' guns were spiked. But still the Union lines 
fought on in the now thick darkness. Lacking guns, 
the artillerymen fought with hand-spikes, rammers, 
staves, and even with stone in defense of the cannon. 

Stevens' battery poured in a fire of double canister 
on the left flank of the Confederates and the 33d 
Massachusetts raked them on the other side. The 
slaughter was terrific. Heavy smoke darkened the night 
air, fitfully lighted by bright flashes from the cannon 
belching solid shot and canister. 

But Hays' and Gordon's men could not win the 
fight alone, and no support came from the other quarter 
where Rodes was marching from Gettysburg to attack 
Howard in the rear. Soon the coming of infantry, sent 
by Hancock in aid of the force on Cemetery Hill, 
materially altered the situation. 

The Confederates slowly withdrew from the position 
they had gained at a great cost in human life. As they 
retreated, their ranks were further thinned by the Union 
guns, and at midnight only a small percentage of those 
who had come out of the ravine to attack Cemetery Hill 
reported to their lines in the town. 

This assault and the recapture of the position on 
Cemetery Hill ended the fighting on July 2, and both 
armies settled down to rest for the struggle of the fol- 
lowing day. 

The lines had changed but little, although the Con- 
federates had gained a lodgment on Big Round Top and 
in Devil's Den on the left of the Union Line, and held a 
part of the entrenchments of the Twelfth Corps on Gulp's 
Hill, covering Baltimore Pike on the right of the line. 

34 



Lee had engaged but seventeen out of his thirty- 
seven brigades of infantry actively in the two days' 
fighting. With the arrival of Pickett from Chambers- 
burg, with a full division that had seen but little active 
service in the campaign, and of Stuart's cavalry from 
Carlisle, Lee felt that he was in a good plight. 

Pickett's arrival had been made without interference, 
but Kilpatrick, resting with his cavalry near Abbotts- 
town, had met Stuart in the rear of the Confederate 
line during the afternoon of July 2 and had engaged him 
until darkness fell, when he was compelled to withdraw 
to Two Taverns, just south of Gettysburg. 

The return of Geary's Division to its old position on 
the south side of Gulp's Hill about midnight changed the 
aspect of affairs. Geary was surprised to find Johnson 
in possession of the entrenchments he had thrown up and 
determined to contest for them as soon as it was light 
enough to see. 




Slocum Avenue, Gulp's HUl 

35 



The Third Day's Fight 

In the meantime Meade and his generals had been 
busy strengthening the entrenchments on Cemetery Hill 
and Ridge with a view to the dislodgment of Ewell's 
men from their position in the rear of the Union line. 
Artillery had been placed in commanding positions, and 
the arrival of dawn was eagerly awaited. 

Ewell, on the other hand, realized that his position 
on Gulp's Hill was an important one and sent Daniel's 
and O'Neal's Brigades of Rodes' Division to reinforce 
Johnson. 

As early as objects could be distinguished in the grey 
dawn of the morning of July 3, Union artillery commenced 
a furious fire on the Confederates amongst the trees, 
rocks and low earthworks on Culp's Hill. 

Johnson had no artillery with him, its use being 
impracticable on the rough surface of the hill, and he 
could not, therefore, reply in kind. But the shelling was 
too hot to passively stand, so he determined to attempt 
a charge against the Union lines. With the "Stonewall 
Brigade" in advance, his men broke from cover and 
rushed toward Geary's men with great enthusiasm, and 
for four hours a close and severe struggle took place 
amongst the bushes and rocks. 

The arrival of Ruger's Division of Slocum's com- 
mand on the left flank of the Confederate line added 
further complications to the situation. With additional 
aid of small detachments from the main line, Johnson 
was being rapidly forced back. About eleven o'clock, 
he was driven from the Hill, and re-forming his line on 
Rock Creek to the north of the town, remained there 
until nightfall. 

Lee's position at this time was a peculiar one. 
He had assaulted both flanks of the Union line and had 

36 




Spangler's Spring, foot of Gulp's Hill 



captured portions of the entrenchments thrown up by 
the Federals. But, through lack of support, he was 
unable to hold these vantage points. The line of the 
Union troops had been regained except on the left flank, 
where, however, Meade's men had possession of the 
ground originally selected for them by the commander- 
in-chief. 

To the eyes of the Confederate commander, the 
center of the Union line was now the most favorable 
point of attack. If he could drive away the forces 
entrenched in front of it and gain possession of the position, 
he would cut off Meade's chances of falling back toward 
Washington, and, at the same time, cover his own retreat 
to Virginia. 

Longstreet still held a firm front on the Union left, 
with Anderson's Georgians guarding the Emmitsburg 
Road, and the balance of Hood's Division facing Sykes' 

37 



Fifth Corps on and around the Round Tops. McLaw's 
Division occupied the ground between the Wheatfield 
and the Emmitsburg Road. 

Lee rode to this part of the battlefield and conferred 
with the division and brigade commanders. He sug- 
gested that as Woffard, with his Georgians, had been able 
to obtain a foothold on the ridge now occupied by the 
Union troops the day before, he should try it again. But 
Woffard told him this was impossible ; conditions were 
different and the Union troops were now strongly en- 
trenched. 




Sykes Avenue, Little Round Top 

38 




5th New Hampshire Infantry 
Sickles Ave. 



2d Rhode Island Infantry 
Sedgwick Avenue 



This left Lee but two courses to pursue; either to 
retreat without another assault, or throw Pickett's 
Division, the flower of the Virginia forces, which had 
not been previously engaged, on Meade's center, with 
assistance from supporting forces on either flank. 

It is said that this latter move did not meet with the 
full approval of all of Lee's corps commanders, but it 
seemed to the commander-in-chief to be the only hope 
for the fortunes of the South. 

The next two hours were spent in quiet by the two 
armies. Lee was posting his main artillery force along 
the crest of Seminary Ridge whence they could pour a 
hail of devastating fire into the Union lines and by break- 
ing them, prepare the way for the great charge. 

Pickett formed in the rear of the Confederate artil- 
lery line west of the Emmitsburg Road behind a grove of 
trees, known as "Spangler's Woods," which hid his force 
from view. Heth's Division, (now under Pettigrew,) 
which though decimated the day before, was in fine 
spirit, was ordered to support Pickett's left and engage 
in close fighting. 

Wilcox's Brigade who had also suffered considerably 
on July 2, was ordered to support the right flank; Wright's 

39 



Brigade the rear, and Pender's Division was to advance 
on the left of Pettigrew. 

One o'clock saw the preparations for the assault all 
completed, and Lee gave the word for the artillery to 
commence firing. Following a signal gun, one hundred 
and fifteen Confederate cannon opened on the position 
occupied by the First, Second and Third Corps and the 
Eleventh Corps. 

General Hunt, Chief of Artillery of the Union Army, 
at once massed every gun he had available on the crest 
of Cemetery Ridge, and within a few minutes the roar 
of eighty Federal guns was replying to that of the one 
hundred and fifteen Confederate pieces. 

This continued for two hours and the batteries on 
both sides suffered terribly. Caissons were blown up 
and guns put out of commission by the death of the men 
working them. Not a move was made by the infantry 
or cavalry of either army during this cannonade, save 
that necessary by Lee's men to get into position for the 
charge. 

At three o'clock General Hunt ordered the Union 
batteries to cease firing. The purpose was to save 
ammunition and allow the guns to cool off. It was 
foreseen that Lee had determined to make a final coup, 
and the Federal commander needed capable guns to 
help meet it. 

The cessation of the Union fire misled the Confed- 
erate line. Pickett thought the Confederate cannonade 
had cleared the way for a successful charge and he ordered 
his men to leave the woods where they were concealed, 
and move forward. 

It was a tremendous task ; the most courageous 
movement ever made by an organized body of troops in 
warfare. The woods at the foot of Seminary Hill at 
the point from which Pickett's men came into the open, 
lay about a mile from the crest of Cemetery Ridge. 
This space was almost entirely exposed to the fire from 
the Union batteries. 

40 



Lee's idea was that Pickett, supported on either 
flank, would enter the Union line like a wedge and split 
the Federal forces. A charge by Longstreet on the 
Round Tops, and by Ewell's men on Gulp's Hill would 
complete the assault. 

But Ewell's men had been so badly repulsed that 
they had lost the fighting spirit, and Kilpatrick, with his 
cavalry, was detaining Longstreet to the south of the 
Round Tops. So the concerted action was not made, 
and Pickett and Pettigrew bore the brunt of the battle. 

On they charged across the rolling farm land lying 
between the Emmitsburg Road and Cemetery Ridge. 
At every step wide gaps opened in their ranks where the 
grilling fire of the Union batteries mowed down groups 
of the oncoming host. 

When about half way across the shot-swept field, 
Pickett suddenly ordered a change of front. His men, 
instead of facing toward the Round Tops and the forces 
of Doubleday, turned directly to the north of the 
"Codori House" toward a clump of umbrella-shaped 
trees, standing on the crest of the hill. This move was 
made but five hundred yards away from the Union line, 
which so far had not attempted to fire on the Con- 
federates except with artillery. 

Unfortunately for Pickett, Wilcox's and Long's men 
(guarding his right flank,) did not follow his change in 
direction, but moved directly toward Sickles' men. This 
left Pickett's right exposed, and provided the opportunity 
whereby Stannard and his Vermonters later turned the 
tide of the Confederate line. 

Driving in the outposts from the Emmitsburg Road, 
Pickett's men came over the ground on the run, still in 
the face of the fire from the Union batteries on the crest 
of the hill and enfiladed by the batteries on Little Round 
Top. 

Pettigrew faced Hays' Division and his men s.oon 
began to fall by hundreds under the musketry fire of 
these troops. This proved too much even for the cour- 

42 



age of desperate fighters, and the North Carolinians 
turned and fled in all directions. Hundreds of prisoners 
were taken by Hays' men. 

In the meantime, Pickett's main body, headed by 
Garnett's and Kemper's Brigades had kept steadily on in 
spite of the artillery fire from the Ridge and from Little 
Round Top, facing Gibbon's front line which lay behind 
a stone wall on the sheltering crest of the ridge. 

Gibbon directed his men to withhold their fire until 
the enemy was close by. In the meantime Stannard, 
having seen the open space on the right flank of Pickett's 
line, had changed his front so that he could pour a fire 
into the flank of the Confederates. 

But on marched the brave Virginians, despite the 
fact that the 8th Ohio deployed as skirmishers along 
the Emmitsburg Road had turned their right flank and 
caused the entire front to swerve away from Stannard 
and his Vermonters. Up to the stone wall and over it, 
















The High Water Mark, Hancock Avenue 

43 




Hancock Avenue south of High Water Mark 



leaped the lines of grey, although Webb's men opposed 
them desperately. On came Armistead, and finding 
Webb giving way from the wall, he and his men poured 
over it and captured one of the Union guns which had 
devastated their ranks. 

But they were doomed to failure. Gushing had fired 
his last serviceable gun before he fell dead, but Webb 
had sent for fresh batteries and Wheeler's First Indepen- 
dent New York Battery had taken Cushing's place on 
the left just before Armistead with about a hundred men, 
scaled the fence, and planted the Stars and Bars over 
the nearest battery inside the stone wall. 

With desperate courage, Webb led the 72d Pennsyl- 
vania against the rushing Confederates and posted a line 
of wounded men in the rear to shoot every man who 
turned back in an attempt to desert the ranks. A portion 
of the 71st Pennsylvania, behind the stone wall on the 
right, delivered a galling flank fire, while the greater 
part of the 69th Pennsylvania and the 71st Pennsylva- 

44 



nia poured volleys of bullets from the clump of trees on 
which the Confederate line had been centered. 

Then came Hall, with two regiments of the Third 
Brigade, and passing completely over Webb's lines, 
engaged the Confederates in a hand to hand conflict. 
This was bloody, but short. Armistead was shot down 
near the gun he had taken and before many minutes 
his men were scattered and captured. 

To the south Wilcox had made a feeble attempt to 
attack Caldwell's Division of Hancock's Corps. But 
Stannard had seen this and, turning his line right about 
face, had repeated the manoevure on Wilcox by which 
he had turned on Pickett's main advance, facing Wilcox's 
left flank. His men, reeling under this assault and the 
fire from the batteries in front, broke in confusion, many 
of the force being made prisoners. 

Pickett attained the crest of the ridge to which he 
had been pressing, but could not hold it. The entire 
force of the Union Army was opposed to him and no 
reinforcements could be sent. So, in desperate straits, 
he reluctantly gave orders to retreat and, inside of half 
an hour, the level land between Seminary Ridge and 




General George G. Meade 
Hancock Avenue 



Ricketts' Battery 
East Cemetery Hill 



45 



Cemetery Ridge was covered with scattered commands 
hurrying back to take refuge behind Wright's Brigade 
and the line of Confederate guns. 

Longstreet's attack on the Round Tops about two 
o'clock had been met by Kilpatrick with Farnsworth's 
and Merritt's Brigades, which after spirited fighting 
were compelled to withdraw, but succeeded in keeping 
Anderson's and Hood's men from sending aid to Wilcox 
and Pickett. 

Lee's hopes had been raised to the highest point 
when, from his position, he saw the Confederate flag 
flying on Cemetery Ridge. But the repulse of Pickett, 
the failure of Johnson and Ewell to co-operate on 
the right flank of the Union line and the inability of 
Longstreet to force fighting on the left flank depressed 
his hopes and he realized that if the counter attack on 
Meade's rear failed, the battle was lost. 

Upon learning of Johnson's repulse on Culp's Hill, 
Lee had sent Stuart and the cavalry around back of 
Ewell and Johnson with orders to cut into the rear of 
Meade's line. They had started ofT toward Hanover 
during the late morning hours. 

Howard, however, saw the Confederate cavalry 
moving in that direction, and Gregg, who was lying near 
White Run and the Baltimore Pike, received orders to 
guard Slocum's right and rear. Custer, Mcintosh and 
J. Irvin Gregg's Brigades of cavalry were thrown forward 
to meet and intercept Stuart. 

A very lively engagement followed the meeting of 
these two forces about three miles east of Gettysburg. 
Charge after charge was made by both sides but neither 
force made any appreciable effect upon the other. 

About three o'clock the brigades of Hampton and 
Fitz Lee were thrown forward in solid columns and the 
Union forces realized that if their line was broken, havoc 
would be played with the main Union line, for Pickett 
had just advanced for his charge on their front. 

46 



Union artillery opened at once on the advancing 
Confederates, and Gregg ordered the First Michigan 
cavalry to prepare to meet the charge with a counter 
charge. With Custer at the head, the Union cavalry- 
men rushed forward toward a force estimated to have 
been three times as great as their own. 

As the two columns clashed, the Third Pennsyl- 
vania fired a volley into the enemy's flank and then 
charged, driving the latter half of the Confederate 
column back past Rummel's farm clear to the Confed- 
erate battery on the hill. 

Meanwhile, Custer and the Michigan troopers had 
stopped the advance of the main column. It was a 
terrific fight while it lasted. Sabres clashed, revolvers 
barked and imprecations rent the air, as man and horse 
met man and horse. A final assault by the First New 
Jersey cavalry ended the strife, and Stuart withdrew, 
fighting every step of the way, back to Rummel's and 
past it. Wade Hampton was wounded and many 
prisoners were taken. 

Almost at the same hour that Pickett's heroic effort 
came to naught, the Confederate attack on the rear of 
the Union line was repulsed and the Federal army were 
victors on all parts of the field. 

On the return of Pickett's and Pettigrew's broken 
troops to the old line, Lee tried to re-form them for further 
conflict. But he found that too many had been left on 
the field, dead, wounded, or missing, to present out of 
the remainder a formidable front to a victorious enemy. 

But he prepared for the assault which he felt sure 
Meade would make following the rout of Pickett. There 
was the distance of a full mile between the lines of Long- 
street and Hill, while Ewell was still in and north of 
Gettysburg. Batteries were called in and placed where 
the fleeing troops could re-form behind their shelter to 
await the Union advance. 

47 



Victor as he was, Meade did not follow the usual 
course of the successful commander and press his ad- 
vantage on a weakened and disheartened foe. Content 
to have repulsed Lee's every effort, the Union com- 
mander held his position, making no effort to molest the 
Confederate forces, except In one instance. 

Overlooking the line of the army from the summit 
of Little Round Top, late In the afternoon, Meade was 
annoyed by the fire of a Confederate battery located 
on a little knoll just beyond the Wheatfield. Sending 
forward Crawford's Pennsylvania Reserves to drive 
away this battery without bringing on a general engage- 
ment, he made the last fight on Gettysburg's field, for 
early the next day, July 4, Lee started on his retreat 
to Virginia through the passes of the South Mountain 
and the Cumberland Valley. 




Battery K, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, Carlisle Street 



48 



The Retreat of Lee's Army 

Meade hardly realized that Lee had actually left 
until his cavalry scouts informed him on the 4th that 
the Army of Northern Virginia, with its hundreds of 
prisoners and wounded, was retreating over the South 
Mountain on the Chambersburg and Fairfield roads. 

On the morning of July 4, a heavy rain storm set in, 
which measurably hampered the movements of Lee's 
forces, but Meade did not deem it w4se to push the 
pursuit. On July 5, he sent Sedgw^ick, with the 
Sixth Corps, to follow the retreating army. Sedgwick 
followed the Confederate forces on the Fairfield Road 
as far as Fairfield Pass, and, with the aid of Kil- 
patrick's cavalry, effectively harassed the rear of Early's 
column. 

Birney had already pursued the column using the 
Fairfield Road, and had had a sharp engagement with it. 
French, from his base at Frederick, had destroyed the 
bridge across the Potomac River at Falling Waters, 
with the aim of preventing Lee from crossing the 
swollen stream at that point. 

But a general movement of the Union Army in 
pursuit of Lee was not begun until the latter had reached 
Hagerstown. Meade, then, under orders from Washing- 
ton, moved his forces southward. Lee, however, had 
sufficient advantage in the start to enable him to cross 
into Virginia before the pursuing army could reach him. 

Hill and Longstreet crossed the Potomac on impro- 
vised bridges at Falling Waters, and Ewell forded the 
river at Williamsport some days before Meade and the 
Union Army arrived at its north bank. 

With the swollen tide of the Potomac between them, 
the two armies set about the task of repairing, as best 
they could, the fearful ravages which the greatest of 
modern battles had wrought in their men and equip- 
ment. 

49 




50 



Gettysburg Battlefield 
Today 

In the half century which has elapsed since the 
hostile forces of Meade and Lee clashed on the soil of 
Pennsylvania, interest in the great battlefield has grown 
with each succeeding year. Its visitors are numbered 
by thousands annually. 

They come from all quarters of the world, and 
include survivors of the battle; the friends and relatives 
of those who fought; students of military history; school 
children; and all citizens of the Union who honor the 
memory and appreciate the valor of their countrymen. 

No battlefield in the world is so elaborately marked, 
so easy to understand by the layman as well as the mili- 
tary man. So accurately have the positions of the 
various commands in the battle been designated, that 
one has no difficulty in finding the location of any regi- 
ment during the three days of the fight. 

In the year 1893, the Gettysburg National Battle- 
field Commission was appointed, by Act of Congress, to 
plot and suitably mark the battlefield, which up to that 
time had but few monuments or markers upon it. Plans 
were adopted by which the positions of every command 
engaged in the battle were to be shown by markers, 
including Division, Brigade, Regimental, and in some 
cases Company organizations. 

In 1895, the governrnent established Gettysburg 
Battlefield as one of the National Parks, and since that 
time the Commission has acquired a considerable 
acreage of the farmlands over which the contesting armies 
waged warfare, and has bent its efforts to restore the 
Battlefield to as near the condition it was in in 1863, as 
is possible. 

51 




Gulp's Hill and Stevens Knoll from East Cemetery Hill 



The National Park contains 15,360 acres or twenty- 
four square miles, which includes the scene of the First, 
Second and Third Days' battles. Through the park, 
the Commission has laid out thirty-two and one-half 
miles of telford roads. These are called avenues and 
are named after the Division, Corps and Brigade Com- 
manders whose troops, at some critical portion of the 
battle, centered around the territory through which they 
extend. 

These special avenues open up to the pedestrian, 
the driver or the automobilist the portions of the field 
not directly on the old main roads which radiated from 
Gettysburg at the time of the battle. 

These main roads — the Chambersburg Pike, the 
Hagerstown or Fairfield Road, the Mummasburg, Car- 
lisle, Harrisburg, Hunterstown, Hanover, Baltimore, 
Taneytown and Emmitsburg Roads — have been improved 
by the government, so that every foot of the field is with- 
in easy reach of the visitor to Gettysburg. 

52 



There are today 588 monuments; the greater portion 
commemorating positions held by regimental organiza- 
tions of infantry and cavalry, and batteries of artillery. 
The positions of the latter are further marked by 368 
mounted cannon, in many cases behind entrenchments 
constructed during the battle for the protection of the 
gunners of the batteries. 

In addition to the various state monuments,, the 
Battlefield Commission has erected 156 special monu- 
ments and 550 markers on both the Union and Confed- 
erate lines, showing the location of the larger commands 
on the three days of the battle. 

These monuments and markers, both large and 
small, are beautiful specimens of the stone mason's 
and bronze worker's skill. The markers, in many cases, 
are bronze tablets, suitably mounted on stone bases, 
bearing the record of the command commemorated; 
in other cases, less elaborate but just as intelligible 
markers, in iron and stone, show positions held at critical 
periods of the engagement. 




Soldiers' Cemetery from the Lodge 

53 




General H W Slocum 
Stevens Knoll 



82d Illinois Infantry 
Howard Avenue 



The Commission has also erected on the field, near 
the more important points of interest, high observation 
towers from which an extended view of the field may be 
obtained. One of these overlooks the scene of the 
Buford and Reynolds' fight of the first day; a second is 
on Gulp's Hill; another on Cemetery Hill; a fourth on 
the summit of Big Round Top; and the fifth on Con- 
federate Avenue, overlooking the Peach Orchard and the 
Spangler Woods where Pickett formed for his charge. 

Of the State monuments, that erected by the State 
of Pennsylvania is the most elaborate. It stands on 
South Hancock Avenue, south of the High Water Mark 
and the Angle, just beyond the high granite shaft erected 
in memory of the United States Regulars. The Penn- 
sylvania monument is in the form of an ancient temple, 
surmounted by a figure of a woman bearing a victor's 
wreath in her outstretched hand. Statues of distin- 
guished men will be erected on the angles. 

The New York State monument, a tall shaft in 
columnar form, with a heroic figure surmounting its top, 
and the noble United States Monument in the National 
Cemetery are always objects of interest to visitors. 

54 



The Lincoln Speech Memorial, a red granite monu- 
ment, exedra in form, with bronze tablets, stands south 
of the spot where President Lincoln delivered his famous 
speech dedicating the cemetery to national use in the 
fall of 1863. 

There are four equestrian statues on the field. That 
of General Meade, the Commander-in-Chief, stands 
on the crest of Cemetery Ridge directly back of the 
Angle. General Reynolds' statue faces the first Confed- 
erate advance on the Chambersburg Pike, near the 
McPherson Farm. On East Cemetery Hill is the 
statue of General Hancock, and on Stevens Knoll that 
of Slocum. 

The pedestals for the equestrian statues of General 
Sedgwick, on Sedgwick Avenue, just north of Little 
Round Top — to be erected by the State of Connecticut — 
and of General Robert E. Lee, on Confederate Avenue, 
near the Spangler Woods — Virginia's contribution to 
the field — are in position. It is expected that the 
Sedgwick statue will be in place prior to the semi- 
centennial, and the Lee statue, which directly faces that 
of General Meade, will be mounted in about two years. 

There are also heroic statues of General Buford, 
near that of General Reynolds, on the Chambersburg 
Pike; of General Greene, on Slocum Avenue, at the 
summit of Gulp's Hill; of General Warren, on Little 
Round Top, and of Reynolds in the National Cemetery. 



55 



Visiting the Field 

Those who visit Gettysburg for the semi-centennial 
and at other times will find In the following paragraphs 
concise directions for reaching the principal sections of 
the battlefield from the center of Gettysburg, where are 
located the leading hotels and railroad stations. 

While there are several livery stables in Gettysburg 
where one may obtain carriages, with experienced 
drivers thoroughly familiar with the field, many people 
prefer to wander at will; to walk to the portions of the 
field that are near the town, or to drive themselves over 
the field at large. To such persons, the following para- 
graphs will prove Interesting. 

The heart of Gettysburg, known as Center Square, 
is formed by the junction of Carlisle, York, Chambers- 
burg and Baltimore Streets. One block south of this 
square is Middle Street (East and West) along which 
was established on the afternoon of July 1, the main line 
of Ewell's Division after they had driven the Union 
forces back to Cemetery Hill. 




17th Connecticut Infantry 
Howard Avenue 



Indiana State 
Meredith Avenue 



56 




Company G 

1st Wisconsin Sharpshooters 

Emmitsburg Road 



To reach the scene of 
Buford's and Reynolds' 
encounter with the Con- 
federates on Seminary 
Hill, one leaves by way 
of Chambersburg Street. 
Three squares west of 
Center Square, Cham- 
bersburg Street branches 
into Springs Avenue and 
Chambersburg Pike. A 
little less than half a mile 
brings one to the Lutheran 
Seminary, the tower on 
the main building being the one used by Buford and 
Reynolds as a post of observation. 

Beyond the Seminary is Seminary Avenue, extending 
from the Chambersburg Pike to the Fairfield Road and 
connecting with West Confederate Avenue at the latter 
road. Continuing out either the Chambersburg Pike or 
Fairfield Road one comes to Reynolds Avenue, just back of 
the McPherson Farm and the main line of the morning's 
fight of the first day. To the north, Reynolds Avenue 
connects with Buford 
Avenue, marking the 
position of Devin's Caval- 
ry Brigade and the right 
flank of the Union Army 
until the arrival of How- 
ard. 

Buford Avenue, ex- 
tends to the Mummas- 
burg Road, the scene of the 
struggle with Iverson's 
men as they came down 
that road. A quarter of 

a milp north nf tVlic: I'c 0?»V *^**^ New Jersey Infantry 

d UHie IIUI Lll Ul Llllb IS \^clK Colgrove Ave., McAllister's Woods 




57 



Hill, with its mounted guns, marking the artillery attack 
on Howard's line as it was drawn up north of the town. 

To reach the scene of the afternoon's fight on the 
first day, one should walk or drive north on Carlisle 
street. About half a mile beyond the town limits is 
Howard Avenue, extending in a diagonal direction from 
the Mummasburg Road to the Harrisburg Road, passing 
Barlow Knoll. It was from this direction that Howard's 
men were driven back through the town to Cemetery 
Hill. 

If one walks out Carlisle Street to Lincoln Avenue, 
turns west to the Mummasburg Road, thence through 
Howard Avenue to the Harrisburg Road, and back past 
the County Almshouse to the town, one covers the 
territory which was the scene of the effort of Steinwehr 
and Barlow to keep Early and Rodes from entering 
Gettysburg. 

The second day's battle is divided into two sections, 
some distance from each other, one centering on Ceme- 
tery and Culp's Hills, the other at the southern extremity 
of the field in the Peach Orchard; the Wheatfield; the 
Valley of Death, and the Round Tops. 

To reach East Cemetery Hill — the scene of the 
assault by Early's men on the night of July 2, — one goes 
south on Baltimore Street, which beyond the junction 
of the Emmitsburg Road, becomes the Baltimore Road. 
Ten minutes' walk brings one to the crest of East Ceme- 
tery Hill, with its batteries and the Hancock statue. 

On the other side of the hill is the old Cemetery 
Gate, so well known from the early pictures of the charge 
of the Louisiana Tigers. A further description of the 
National Cemetery, which the old Cemetery adjoins, 
will be found on another page. 

From a point a short distance south of East Ceme- 
tery Hill, Slocum Avenue, leads over Stevens Knoll to 
the summit of Culp's Hill, with its bullet-scarred trees 
and old entrenchments, and down to Spangler's Spring, 
where it joins East Confederate Avenue. 

58 



The latter avenue, running from East Middle Street, 
marks the position of EwelFs line around the east base 
of Gulp's Hill. From this position the assaults on East 
Cemetery Hill and Gulp's Hill were made. Several 
other avenues reach other points of interest on the 
south slope of Gulp's Hill, Geary Avenue leading through 
the scene of the bitter fight between Johnson's and 
Geary's men on July 3, in the morning. 

There are several ways to reach the scene of Long- 
street's attack on Sickles' line and the Round Tops. 

The Emmitsburg Road, branching off from Baltimore 
Street at the southern end of the town, leads directly to 
the Peach Orchard, lying just beyond the Wheatfield 
Road. One may walk or drive completely around the 
Peach Orchard on Birney Avenue. 

What is known as Sickles' Excelsior line is reached 
by taking Sickles Avenue from its junction with the 
Emmitsburg Road south of the Godori House. United 




House known as General Lee's Headquarters, Chambersburg Pike 

59 




The Peach Orchard Fence 



States Avenue, marking part of the fight of the afternoon 
of July 2, crosses this at right angles, extending from the 
Emmitsburg Road to Hancock Avenue. 

Leaving the Peach Orchard, one may walk or drive 
over the Wheatfield Road directly past the Wheatfield 
to Sedgwick Avenue at the foot of Little Round Top. 
Or one may follow Sickles Avenue around and over the 
rocks and boulders on the little hills fronting the Round 
Tops to the Devil's Den. 

Brooke Avenue, also marks the position of many of 
the troops which engaged in the late afternoon struggle 
for the possession of Little Round Top. It is closely 
joined to Sickles Avenue. 

Leading from the Wheatfield Road directly through 
the Valley of Death, past the eastern side of the Wheat- 
field is Crawford Avenue. One may leave Crawford 
Avenue near the Devil's Den and go by Warren Avenue 
between Big and Little Round Top, connecting with 
Sykes Avenue, which extends over Little and Big 
Round Top from the Wheatfield Road. 

60 



One may also reach the Round Tops by a more direct 
route by taking the Taney town Road, an extension of 
Washington Street, Gettysburg, to a point where 
Hancock Avenue branches off to the west, just south of 
the cemetery. This extends along the front of the 
Union Line to United States Avenue, continuing beyond 
as Sedgwick Avenue to the Wheatfield Road ; and thence 
as Sykes Avenue. 

This latter route is also the way to reach the scene 
of Pickett's charge. To cover this properly, one should 
leave Gettysburg by Baltimore Street, going to the 
National Cemetery gate. Thence a walk or drive 
through the Cemetery to the south gate follows the line 
of battle to the Taney town Road. 

Turning into Hancock Avenue, one still keeps on 
the line past the Bryan House to the Angle and the 
High Water Mark near the umbrella-shape trees, which 
mark the highest point reached by the Confederates 
in the charge. 

A few minutes' walk through Meade Avenue, 
leading eastward from the Angle, brings one to the old 
Bishop House on the Taneytown Road where General 
Meade had his headquarters during the fight. 

A new road is in course of construction from the 
Meade Headquarters to the Baltimore Road which will 
probably be open by the time of the semi-centennial 
celebration. 

Powers Hill, where a part of Sedgwick's troops 
who were held in reserve on July 2, and Neill Avenue, 
not yet improved, mark the position of the troops not 
actively engaged in the battle. 

The Cavalry field, on which the great fight between 
Stuart and the Union Cavalry on July 3, occurred, lies 
about three and a half miles east of Gettysburg. To 
reach it, one drives out the Hanover Road extending from 
the York Road, or York Street, as it is known in the town. 

6i 




Curtin 



The 
National Cemetery 

Few visitors leave Gettysburg with- 
out paying their tribute of respect to the 
3555 soldier dead who lie in the National 
Cemetery, almost in the heart of the 
battle-field on which they gave up their 
lives in the struggle for supremacy be- 
tween the North and the South. 

Crowning the crest of East Cemetery 
Hill and directly adjoining the old Ever- 
green Cemetery, which overlooked the 
terrific night fight of July 2, the National Cemetery, 
with its semi-circular rows of graves, arranged according 
to states, and most of them marked — except the 
pathetic section in which lie the 979 unknown victims 
of the battle — also marks the northern line of troops and 
guns from the evening of July 1, until Meade evacuated 
the town. 

After the battle interment was made of all the dead 
at various points of the fields, rough markers being set up. 
But when Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, visited 
Gettysburg shortly after the battle, to bring relief to 
the wounded survivors, he found that many of these 
graves had been so hastily made that the bodies were 
but imperfectly covered. 

David Wills, left by Curtin to represent him, con- 
ceived the idea of establishing a cemetery in which to 
gather all the dead from the battle, and he suggested 
to Governor Curtin the idea of laying out a National 
Cemetery. 

63 



The various states represented by the troops in 
the engagement entered into the idea heartily, and by 
August 17, fifteen of them had pledged aid to the project. 
Wills purchased the old apple orchard, which had sheltered 
Union guns, at the cost of $2475.87 and title was taken 
in the name of the State of Pennsylvania. 

The property consisted of seventeen acres. Plots 
were laid out and apportioned to the various states, the 
United States regulars and the unknown dead. 

The work of exhuming was started on October 27, 
1863, but it was not until March 18, 1864, that the last 
body had been interred in its final resting place. The 
National Monument, which occupies the center of the 
semi-circle of graves, was dedicated on July, 1869. 

The dedication of the Cemetery as a National 
resting place for the dead took place on November 19, 
1863. While the orator of the occasion was Edward 
Everett, one of the greatest orators of the time, this 
occasion is best remembered by the words of the immortal 
Lincoln: 




Lincoln Speech Memorial, National Cemetery 



64 



"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought 
forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in 
Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men 
are created equal. 

'*Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing 
whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so 
dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great 
battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a 
portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who 
here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is 
altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. 

''But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we 
can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. 
The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, 
have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or 
detract. The world will little note, nor long remember 
what we say here, but it can never forget what they 
did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated 
here to the unfinished work which they 
who fought here have thus far so nobly 
advanced. It is rather for us to be 
here dedicated to the great task remain- 
ing before us — that from these honored 
dead we take increased devotion to that 
cause for which they gave the last full 
measure of devotion — that we here highly 
resolve that these dead shall not have 
died in vain — that this nation, under 
God, shall have a new birth of freedom — 
and that government of the people, by 
the people, for the people, shall not perish 
from the earth." Lincoln 




65 



Forward ! March ! 

Veterans or visitors desiring information about tickets 
and train service to and from Gettysburg may procure 
the same by applying or writing to any Ticket Agent of 
the Pennsylvania System, or the following officials: 

O. T. Boyd, Division Passenger Agent 

263 Fifth Avenue, New York City 

F. B. Barnitz, .... Division Passenger Agent 

1433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 

A. E. Buchanan, .... Division Passenger Agent 

Harrisburg, Pa. 

E, Yungman, .... Division Passenger Agent 

Room 212 OUver Building, Pittsburgh, Pa. 

Wm. Pedrick, Jr., . . Division Passenger Agent 

Baltimore and Calvert Streets, Baltimore, Md. 

David Todd, Division Passenger Agent 

Williamsport, Pa. 

B. P. Fraser, . . . . . Division Passenger Agent 

307 Main St., Ellicott Square, Buffalo, N. Y. 

or to 

GEO. W. BOYD 

Passenger Traffic Manager 

Jas. P. Anderson D. N. Bell 

General Passenger Agent General Passenger Agent 

Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, Pa. 





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